What Jimmy Bartel loves most about being a father

Jimmy Bartel had a stellar career playing for the Geelong Cats until his retirement last year, but being a dad is giving the 33-year-old a bigger kick. The new Bonds' menswear ambassador lives in Melbourne with his wife Nadia and their son Aston, 20 months.

What do you love most about being a father?

Watching someone you love so much discover the world is amazing. They rely on you and need you so much, and the love they return is unbelievable.

What's the most challenging part?

Probably that you don't have all the answers. Especially being a first-time dad, it's always worrying. But you hope you are doing the right thing by them.

Has fatherhood changed you?

It completely changes your thinking. All your decisions and choices in life are first and foremost based around the child.

Yes, very. I still work with Bethany [a support service]. And I've just come on board as an ambassador for the Alannah & Madeline Foundation. They do an extraordinary amount of work keeping children safe from violence and abuse.

What message are you hoping to get across?

Starting the conversation about respectful behaviour and attitudes towards people in the family environment. The numbers are staggering: one in four women will come across domestic violence in their life. As a community we should be embarrassed about that.